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Mr Backhouse has been a member of the Conservatives for the past six years. He joined because of what he saw as problems with the current democratic system.

"People feel they are not listened to by politicians - the Conservative Party is the only party that is listening to the ordinary person.

"Politicians make our decisions, but I believe it would be possible to have binding referendums so the people could tell the politicians what they want them to do. We have the technology to do that," Mr Backhouse said.

He said many of society's problems came from the breakdown of the family.

"The Conservative Party is very family-based. The family unit is important to me, and to the party."

Mr Backhouse and his wife, who have two adult sons, run a 35-cow organic dairy farm near Rongotai, in the Manawatuū. The milk is supplied to the public through a herd share scheme.

The farm was converted to organic in 2000.

Mr Back house has a dairy farming background. He grew up on a dairy farm near Thames.

Roy Brown was the Conservative Party's candidate for Rangitikei in the 2014 election. He came fourth, with 4.4 per cent of the vote.

A Conservative Party spokesman told the Wanganui Chronicle the party had hoped to stand a candidate in the Whanganui electorate, but had been unable to find a suitable candidate.

In the 2014 election the Conservative Party candidate for Whanganui, Kim McIntyre, polled third - despite never having set foot in the electorate during the election campaign.